Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday strongly criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah for defending the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, accusing the Centre of undermining democracy by handing excessive power to police officers.
“Amit Shah should not talk about morality,” Baghel told ANI, alleging that the bill was rushed through Parliament without proper procedure. “The Secretary General of the Lok Sabha was not consulted, and copies were not circulated before it was introduced. This shows the kind of pressure Amit Shah is under.”
Baghel warned that the bill, which mandates automatic removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers if they are jailed for more than 30 consecutive days on charges punishable with at least five years in prison, would give the police unchecked authority.
“This amendment puts a dangerous weapon in the hands of an inspector or constable. A public representative could be jailed under sections where bail is impossible for six months. Governments could be destabilised at the whims of police officers,” he said.
The Congress leader further alleged that while the amendment weakens elected representatives, it shields bureaucrats.
“On one hand, you have given the Election Commission immunity, where even an FIR cannot be filed against them. Bureaucrats are now fearless, while public representatives will live in fear of a constable,” Baghel added.
Amit Shah, however, has defended the bill as a measure to uphold “constitutional morality,” rejecting opposition criticism. He accused the Congress of hypocrisy, citing the UPA government’s 2013 ordinance that sought to protect convicted MPs and MLAs, which Rahul Gandhi had famously torn apart in protest.
Shah also pointed out that Congress is now allied with RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav in Bihar, despite earlier opposing him after his conviction. “Isn’t this a double standard?” he asked.
The Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee of both Houses for scrutiny before being put to a vote.
